But that's not the only thing different about RTB in 2012. Usually dedicated to preserving an air of hip-hop nostalgia, this year presents us with a stunning amount of rappers from hip-hop's freshman class, including Mac Miller, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar.

Since 2010, Golden Era headliners of the annual hip-hop festival have performed their most iconic albums in their entirety. And while that certainly continues this year with top-billed act Bone Thugs-n-Harmony spitting bars from their classic album E. 1999, the significant integration of new talent suggests that Golden Era fans might not be as apt to travel out to festivals as they reach their golden years.

The pre-sale will begin on Friday, May 18 at 10 a.m. PST -- 10 p.m. PST. The general on-sale starts on Saturday, May 19 at 10 a.m. PST. More information can be found on www.rockthebells.net.

Nate Jackson is the gatekeeper to your dreams of local dive bar stardom. If he writes about you, expect your band to be offered at least one more drink ticket than the rest of the bands on the bill. Get his attention with some groovy tunes and he might just do it. Then, boy will you feel special.